SchifferLine 1 February 2010

Timely Real Estate News…,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1 February 2010*********************************************************************************************************************************************Offers pour in for Noah’s Ark….when it rains, it pours

With the rains relentlessly pounding the Westside last week, one innovative developer came up with a brilliant idea — building a 10-bedroom, 12 bath version of Noah’s Ark, complete with a satellite navigation system, media room, indoor spa and pool, and room for 50 “pairs of domestic animals”, 10-person crew, and enough fuel and food stuffs for residents and animals to last 60 days and nights.

But much to the chagrin of the developer, the rains stopped. The sun returned and while we are still drying out, life appears normal again. The Ark? Oh, it’s about finished and waiting for the next deluge. Surely it will be snapped up by some one if we get another storm week like we had two weeks ago. Remember, this is LA!

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What is really happening, however, is that Westside real estate appears to be getting its sea legs again. As we reported in our January 15 SchifferLine, we finally caught up with the sales volume for 2009 by (barely) surpassing 2008 figures. I am seeing more and more enthusiastic buyers who are flocking to my open houses. This increased activity augurs well for the spring — always a strong selling season as buyers begin their annual hunt for the next dream home.

News stories in the past few days have reported on the weak housing picture in the nation’s major markets – both in new-home and existing-home sales. Prices have remained firm over the past several months according to the National Board of Realtors/Case-Schiller sliding monthly average for December — prices have only marginally moved ahead of previous reporting months of October and November. As I indicated, the Westside continues to be its own micro-economic zone. Our prices have not recovered from previous highs of mid-2008, but we’re getting there.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************Do you have an art collection looking for more space?

I’m aware of a magnificent home in a gated community in Bel-Air which according to the seller is a 10,000-sf home on 2.5 acres — all beautifully landscaped and featuring five bedrooms, 7.5 baths, media room, fabulous kitchen, artists studio quality detail, great home for entertaining, and enough wall space to enhance any major art collection. This exquisite home and property also features a swimming pool and spa and two-story master bedroom. $13 million, and of course, shown by appointment only. Please give me a call if you’re interested. (Property is currently listed with another agent.)

Or how about half the price for a spectacular home in Mountaingate….two story Mediterranean; three flat acres; totally landscaped, views, pool, tennis court, two-story guest house; $6.5 million — very dramatic, media room; rough-hewn beam ceilings .This home is not currently on the market, but can be shown only to serious buyers.

I give up. One day I notice that such and such off ramp is going to be closed between such and such hours….and so I change my entire strategy to reach my office in Brentwood or to find a better way back to my home in Bel-Air during the affected hours. And what happens? The off ramps or Sepulveda are NOT closed, and the work announced for areas in Sepulveda Pass are not being done as advertised. To be honest with you — It is confusing at best. Changes in work schedules and road/ramp closures seem to be the norm. So what else is new? What I recommend is to keep checking www. metro.net/I-405.… it appears to be the most up to date information. This will be going on for the next three years and employ the “grin-and-bear-it” strategy. Works for me!

Be on the lookout for buyer scams……

If you’ve been in real estate as long as I have (25+ years), you think, you have seen it all but lately some of the “stunts I am seeing pulled honestly amaze me. As I have, many of my fellow Realtors have run into ‘fake buyers’ who apparently get a thrill out of making offers on multi-million dollar homes, seeing them accepted, and offering checks (often in the $200,000+ range) as down payment to open escrows, only to have non sufficient funds or in some cases, closed accounts for that particular check. These buyers have neither ability nor the intention to be able to close the transaction, how can they when they don’t have the money to do so? As a result, when I am representing a seller, I suggest that we get the buyers proof of funds with the accepted offer, and rather than have a check, have the money wired into the escrow account. Hopefully this eliminate some of the time that can be wasted with “bogus buyers”. What amazes me is that, in the end, there is no way a fake buyer can sustain their believability. What’s the point? All this is why you need an experienced agent such as me in your corner, one who knows the tricks and knows what to look for. I don’t mean to sound cynical, but honestly sometimes it is hard not to be.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************Haiti’s earthquake disaster sends shock waves all the way to Los Angeles!

One cannot help but wonder when the ‘big one’ will strike us here in Los Angeles. The latest monumental disaster inflected on the island nation of Haiti is a grim reminder of what can go wrong if one is not prepared. Despite all of our experience, improved construction codes, and dedication of many to insure this type of disaster never occurs here, may I recommend that you and your family have an emergency preparation plan in case an earthquake strikes again in Los Angeles. Our last major earthquake occurred in February of 1994 in Northridge. While it lasted only 20 seconds. the 6.7-magnitude quake inflicted devastation over a wide area — killing 72 with over 9,000 injured, and more than $20 billion in damage. This was one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. So, be prepared. Don’t think for a minute that it can’t happen here. It has. And it is predicted to happen again. That is why it is so important to me that we all be prepared. Please contact me at ceschiffer@aol.com or 310 442-1384, and let’s work together to be better prepared.

Plumbing– As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.

Garden– Baking soda can deter ants – pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won’t cross it.
– Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of (earth friendly) dish detergent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.

Laundry-Work a baking soda and water paste onto stains prior to washing to help remove them from the fabric

-Half a cup of baking soda added to a full load of washing will help brighten your wash and remove odors.

Workshop/auto– Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply with a pot scourer to remove light rusting

-To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.

-Sprinkle your Christmas tree with baking soda to mimic snow – a much more environmentally friendly alternative to some of those chemical snow sprays!

With so many uses you’ll likely use a lot and buying baking soda in small boxes probably won’t be too economical. Have a chat to your local baker who may be able to supply you with larger quantities or try contacting a bakery supplies company as some sell direct to the public.

You can also save money on baking soda by re-using it. For example, once it has served its purpose as a fridge deodorizer you can put it down your sink to help keep your drains clear.
Phew, that’s quite a list of baking soda tips – it’s such a versatile substance and certainly a greener way to get many jobs around the house done. My list is by no means exhaustive and I’m sure I’ve missed a bundle of ideas and applications! Please add your own tips below!********************************************************************************************************************************************
Please check out my beautiful listings!

I have sensational house at a sensational price on 129 Ketch Mall in Marina del Rey (honestly if I didn’t love living where I do, I would be there in a NY minute). This house is great with 4/3.5, ocean views, and about a block to the beach. We are asking $1,785,000. Also I have a wonderful Canyon home in Bel Air Crest. This home is also 4/3.5 move in condition, and has a great yard with a wonderful water feature and fire pit, asking $1,750,000. You can see photos of both of these great houses on my web site Caroleschiffer.com